Frat having bike drive for disadvantaged children

The Nu Iota chapter of Omega Psi Phi fraternity in Marshall on Monday kicked off its Christmas bike drive for underprivileged children, ages 6 to 14.

"We're trying to get donations, any donations of brand new bikes," said Michael Mitchell, drive chair, noting monetary donations to purchase bikes also will be accepted.

Bikes will be accepted at the Mount. Zion Spiritual Church Activity Center, 2200 Pemberton St., from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. now through through Dec. 14.

Mitchell said the bike drive is part of the Christmas Cheer program, started by the late Milton Williams, who was a member of the chapter and director of Marshall's housing authority program.

"Our goal is to continue it on and make it a communitywide thing," Mitchell said.

To qualify for a bike, each participating child has to write a short essay about the subject, "What Christmas Means to Me." Participating children may come by the Mount Zion Spiritual Activity Center to sign up from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. now through Dec. 14.

"We know so many families will not be able to afford the things they want to give their kids, so we want to try to help give a bike away," Mitchell said. "We're not limiting to one per house. We're giving them away until they are gone."

The bikes will be distributed to participating children during a Dec. 18 Christmas concert at Marshall Convention Center.

"All children receiving bikes have to be present to get them," Mitchell noted.

Mitchell said he has given away 75 bikes during a drive he's done in the past. The fraternity hopes to give away at least 100 this year.